Police Probe Possible Links Between 3 Austin Package Bombs

posted by RJ Johnson - @rickerthewriter -

Mar 13, 2018

Austin Police are searching for any possible links between three different package bombs that have exploded over the last two weeks, leaving two people dead.

The bombings located in the eastern parts of Texas' capital city, two on Monday and one on March 2nd, are likely linked police said. The victims were minorities and investigators are looking into whether race might be a motivating factor. However, they did not go so far as others who suggested hate crimes might be the core cause.

The first explosion on Monday occurred when a package exploded after being opened by a 17-year-old boy. The 17-year-old was killed and a 40-year-old woman was wounded by the blast.

Just hours later, a second explosion erupted, this time, wounding a 75-year-old Hispanic woman who was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Police believe both explosions are linked to another blast back on March 2nd, which killed a black man.

Austin police Chief Brian Manley said investigators aren't ruling anything out at this point. The FBI, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are currently investigating the bombings with local law enforcement.

Manley told residents that if you receive a package you don't recognize or weren't expecting, people should call 911.

"Under no circumstances should you touch them, move them or handle them in any way," he said.

A tweet from the police department said authorities have received more than 150 calls reporting suspicious packages since Monday.